We are delighted to welcome Rhian as our Head of Communications at Stretchline. Rhian will lead across all internal and external communications, leading Stretchline forward.
We sat down with Rhian, to chat about her vision for the future of our brand.
What are your key objectives for this new role?
We are passionate about creating a business that is values-driven and focused on making a difference in the world. Our teams span globally from Honduras to Hong Kong, so how we communicate with our teams and connect them to our vision, mission and values is a key focus in my role. I’ll also be looking at how we can engage our external audiences, showcase our business, people and brands, and take our audience on a journey about who we are, what we do and how we do it.
Tell us more about your background and previous experiences…
I’ve over ten years of experience in Internal Communications and Employee Engagement, worked in various industries and two FTSE 100 companies. I’ve been lucky to work with some exceptional leaders who have given me the guidance and the tools to be great in my field. Over the years, I’ve also developed a keen eye and honed my content creation and design skills.
What do you think is the most important leadership skill?
The ability to inspire others. To articulate a vision and motivate people to work towards it. To create a sense of purpose and help others see that what they do matters and that they are part of something bigger.
What are you most looking forward to over the next few months?
I’m looking forward to better understanding how we do things around here, what works and what doesn’t and gaining a true sense of how our people feel about working for the business. Along with working on creating new and fresh, compelling content for our audiences. Ohhhh, and longer, lighter, warmer, sunnier days!
Please join us in welcoming Rhian to the Stretchline family.
At Stretchline, we always challenge ourselves to do better, including in best-in-class financial management. This is why we’re excited to welcome David Monaghan to the Stretchline family.
David joins us from British Airways and will help build our commercial finance function globally. Before he got stuck into his new role, we sat down with him to chat about his vision for the position and why he is excited to join Stretchline.
What are your key objectives for this new role?
A key objective is to build a global commercial finance team to help shape and deliver the group’s strategic direction through strong business partnerships, planning and forecasting.
Tell us about your background and what experiences have you gained?
I have over 12 years of experience as a finance professional. I have worked in multiple industries, such as media and communications, freight and logistics, and aviation. Most recently, I worked for British Airways’ business partnering commercial and operational directorates, supporting them through the most challenging period for the aviation industry.
In my years in finance, I have led and been involved in projects as diverse as joint ventures, building construction, integrating finance systems and supplier contract negotiations. This enables me to draw from a broad range of experience to bring into the Stretchline family.
How does your previous experience contribute to your new role?
Throughout my career, I have learned that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to business. Having partnered with a wide range of stakeholders across different geographies, business areas and cultural backgrounds, I have learned to adapt my approach to suit each situation and to address business needs and challenges in different markets.
In my most recent leadership roles, I’ve created new suites of reporting, analysis, and financial insights to aid strategic decision-making. This hands-on experience will be helpful in my new role at Stretchline.
What do you think is the most important leadership skill?
Communication. A good leader must be able to sell their vision and convince others to get on board.
Great leaders are active listeners and communicate clearly, whether explaining their plans and how they can add value, giving people clear direction and accountability, or simply listening to their concerns.
What are you most looking forward to over the next few months?
I’m excited to get my teeth stuck into a new industry and learn as much as I can about how Stretchline operates. One of the most important things that will allow me to add value is to immerse myself in the company and its people. I’m eager to get out and meet colleagues across the business. I’ve always enjoyed being in companies and teams with a true family feel, and I’m looking forward to much of the same here at Stretchline.
We look forward to hearing David’s ideas and seeing him implement his vision and drive the group finance function globally. Welcome to the Stretchline family, David!
Careers don’t always follow an obvious path, and there are many routes to success. In the latest instalment of our No Straight Line series, we’re talking to our Global Lead for Environment, Sustainability and Compliance, Nilanthi Wiijegunawardena.
Nilanthi joined us over 20 years ago, after working for five years in textile manufacturing and earning a Bsc and Graduateship in Chemistry from the Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon. She later completed her MBA at Cardiff Metropolitan University in the UK.
We spoke to her about what she’s learned from her different roles at Stretchline and how they’ve shaped what she’s doing now.
What job did you initially set out to do?
I joined Stretchline initially in 2000 as a Manager for Quality Assurance. My key responsibilities were managing product quality by implementing standardised quality and processes across the plant. My role shifted when I was appointed to lead global quality management alongside social and ethical compliance in 2001.
What role do you currently do?
In my current role, I lead our Environment Sustainability and Compliance functions at Stretchline’s plants globally, developing strategies and policies to meet our sustainability and compliance goals across all our sites, wherever they are.
How does your role differ from what you used to do?
Now I have more exposure to global teams and work with global leaders in sustainability. My focus is now on making sure that we are a performance-driven company. My previous role focused on compliance with retailer product specifications and social and ethical standards. So, my role differs significantly from my job over 20 years ago.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
You have everything you need for success already. First, be target-orientated and don’t shy away from taking up new challenges – be open and take every opportunity that comes your way. Second, focus on building relationships both internally and externally. Third, earn the trust of your team and be a leader in quality assurance management. And, of course, last – but not least – multi-tasking is the key to success.
What advice would you give your future self?
Be passionate about what you do. A genuine passion for what you do will continue to lead you on the path forward. Be responsible for the environment and create the mindset and culture in everyone to help drive sustainability and be eco-conscious in the business.
Nilanthi’s story shows that passion for your role and a willingness to take on opportunities and challenges can lead to outstanding achievements. Thanks to driven people like her, Stretchline can continue in their drive to move the industry forward.
Like Nilanthi’s story? Find out how other talented people at Stretchline took their not-so-straight line to career success.
At Stretchline, we always look for opportunities to grow and challenge ourselves. So we’re delighted to welcome Helen Auty to her new Group Head of Legal role.
Helen will be based in the UK and will join us to help build an effective legal function in-house that will provide agile legal advice across the company. We sat down to talk about her plans and vision for the future.
What are your key objectives for this new role?
To create and develop a bespoke legal function that supports the entire Stretchline team on our Made for Better journey.
Tell us about your background and what experiences have you gained?
I have over 11 years of in-house legal experience working across a diverse range of different industries – including food manufacture, tyre manufacture and distribution, chemical distribution (speciality oils and gas) and most recently, Fintech, across various jurisdictions.
In my most recent roles, I was focused on creating and developing legal functions tailored to the bespoke needs of the businesses I worked for. My key focus was creating agile legal solutions for the various teams across the business while balancing commercial needs and aspirations, legal risk and shareholder value.
How does your previous experience contribute to your new role?
The diverse nature of my in-house legal experience means that I am familiar with the challenges international companies often face on a range of legal subjects. I will be able to draw on my experience of providing cross-jurisdictional legal support when developing a group legal function.
What do you think is the most important leadership skill?
Being an effective communicator. For me, this skill underpins so many other aspects of great leadership, like being an incredible motivator, having the ability to empower your team, deliver a vision and/or give guidance. It all relies upon your ability to communicate with people effectively.
What are you most looking forward to over the next few months?
I am excited to get started and hit the ground running! I’m looking forward to immersing myself in the industry, learning everything about Stretchline as a business and – most importantly – becoming a member of the Stretchline family.
After all, the best way to provide the most efficient legal support to the group is to immerse myself in the business, get to know the people and understand more about immediate challenges and future plans to ensure that the legal function can offer practical, hands-on and proactive legal support.
We hope you’ll join us in welcoming Helen to the Stretchline family. We look forward to working with her and drawing on her incredible experience to shape the legal function within Stretchline.
We are back with our No Straight Line feature. This month, we talked with Stretchline Sri Lanka’s Deputy General Manager Strategy Implementation, Kshemani Perera.
Kshemani has been with Stretchline since 1998 and has brought her passion to different departments, from Sales, Operations to Product Development. Check out her journey with Stretchline and the industry below.
How did you start in the industry?
My career in the industry began at Stretchline as a Merchandiser in the Sales and Marketing Department. My diploma in Apparel Marketing led me naturally to sales, marketing, and customer service. However, I was able to shape my career path over the years with many great opportunities in different departments.
What is your current role at Stretchline?
I oversee the delivery of strategic projects in Sri Lanka, including our ongoing Sri Lanka Transformation project.
How does your role differ from what you set out to do?
I had no set plans when I started at Stretchline because the industry was new to me. I was eager to join and see where it would take me and learn along the way. Beyond that, there was no real plan. I just came prepared to work and put in the hours to grow and progress.
Reflecting on my journey over the last 24 years, I have learned so much about this industry and worked closely with the local and global teams to execute my current role effectively. As the business evolved, I was fortunate to develop with it. I believe this was largely due to exposure to both customers and their ever-changing and growing needs, as well as internal company cultures and people.
What advice do you have for your younger self?
I would advise my younger self on a few things. Firstly, take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Working hard is good, but exposing yourself to new experiences and developing your skills are important. Create contacts and establish relationships by networking, both within and outside the organisation. And finally, be human-centric; the heart of every company is its people.
My biggest advice for young people entering the industry is simple – don’t be one version of yourself. That means you shouldn’t limit yourself to one area of expertise. You must be ready and agile to jump on new opportunities and work in and with different departments to succeed. Learning about the business and the people you work with is the best way to advance your career.
What advice do you have for your future self?
Never turn down an opportunity for growth or a chance to improve the business by taking risks. Be persistent and consistent in your efforts to achieve your goals.
Manufacturing is a team sport. Ensure that everyone you work with is supported and cared for. Teamwork makes everything possible!
Kshemani’s story is a testament to the power of being open. Narrowing yourself to one field of expertise is not the only way to succeed. Having worked in different departments, she now strategically connects the threads to help us achieve excellence in our service and products.
Did you find Kshemani’s career path interesting? Then, keep an eye out for more deep dives into the not-so-straight lines taken by Stretchline family.
At Stretchline, our people are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we always strive to maintain operational excellence when it comes to our people processes.
We’re delighted to welcome Karen Birch to the Stretchline team as Group HR Manager. She will support the Group HR function by working closely with all countries to ensure consistent processes and policies are implemented. In addition, her role will involve developing talent across the group.
Karen will directly oversee the HR function in both Stretchline UK and US and support the local teams with their HR needs.
We caught up with her to say hello, and she told us all about her plans for the new role.
What are your key objectives for this new role?
I will focus on supporting the leadership team in driving the people agenda. Our USP is our people, which sets us apart from our competitors. Our goal is to create an environment where all colleagues can thrive and build on the solid foundation of our incredible business.
Tell us more about your background and previous experiences…
I’ve been in HR for 25 years, working in various industries. I spent over ten years at Sainsbury’s, where I gained a wealth of experience and skills. I am most proud of leading my region’s Diversity and Inclusion agenda and opening several large investments. As part of the Argos acquisition, I also had the opportunity to work in Hong Kong and China.
These opportunities prepared me for my previous role at Flogas, where I was the Head of HR. Through this role, I played a key role in developing the HR strategy, particularly the rollout of the people plan.
How does your previous experience contribute to your new role?
As someone who has worked internationally in several industries, I have experience working with people from around the world. I believe this enables me to assist with some of the challenges we are currently facing. I will be responsible for ensuring we have robust succession plans and can drive performance through an engaged workforce as competition for talent intensifies.
Having worked in both large and small organisations, I can work strategically and operationally to ensure the work we do is fit for purpose and adds value.
What do you think is the most important leadership skill?
I believe that authenticity is one of the most important leadership skills. It shows your true values and allows you to lead with purpose. As an authentic leader, you can quickly build strong relationships with a foundation of trust.
What are you most looking forward to over the next few months?
I’m looking forward to immersing myself in the business – getting to know the people, understanding what makes our business tick, understanding the challenges our leaders face, and working together to drive business improvement through our people.
On a personal note, my sister is getting married at the end of September, so I’m very much looking forward to the whole family being together for such a special occasion!
We hope you’ll join us in warmly welcoming Karen to Stretchline. We look forward to seeing her use her skills and fresh ideas to make our HR processes better than ever.
A year ago, we welcomed Tierney to the Stretchline family as part of our in-house internship programme. We’re passionate about supporting young talent, and Tierney is a talented student we met through our long-standing relationship with De Montfort University.
Tierney spent a year with us, honing her skills and gaining first-hand knowledge about the industry. But before Tierney’s time with us ended, we sat down with her to discuss her year with us.
What have you learned during your year at Stretchline?
I’ve gained a lot of knowledge about elastics. However, that’s not all. Working for a supplier has given me great insight into the industry. In addition, I’ve had the opportunity to experience the end-to-end manufacturing process first-hand. The process has been truly eye-opening, from design concept to production to presenting the final product to the customer. I’ve loved every opportunity I’ve been given.
How has your role evolved in the past year?
Stretchline allowed me to explore different aspects of my role and seek out what interests me. Taking on more daily tasks and roles within these areas allowed me to further develop my experience and expertise in the areas I was most interested in. In time, I could work more independently on tasks such as trend research, competitor shopping, 3D digital design, social media, and sales and marketing.
During your internship, what was the most valuable lesson you learned?
Stretchline helped me discover what part of the industry I’d like to enter after my final year of studies. Since my internship, I have discovered a passion for parts of my job that I wasn’t aware existed, which I will focus on when I return to university. I have also learned much about my design style and working methods, which will be very helpful when I begin looking for my first job after graduation.
How do you see your role developing in the future?
I have learned a lot about elastics and the small details that go into garments. With this knowledge, in the future, I can help develop and design products for the better. Following my experience working with a specific component, I would like to move on to designing the whole garment. As well as learning about innovations, I’ve loved the product side of my job at Stretchline. Therefore, it would be ideal for me to combine working on products and design in a future role.
What is your advice for fellow students that want to join the Stretchline internship programme?
A year may seem long, but it goes by quickly, so take advantage of all the opportunities Stretchline offers. A year in the industry is only a short time, so make the most of it! Try shadowing as many job roles as possible and absorb as much information as possible because this is a great way to discover what you enjoy and are most interested in. After your internship, you can use this information to plan your final year of study and the career path you want to take.
Is Tierney’s experience exactly what you’re looking for? Then, apply to intern with Stretchline by sending an email to sophie.beet@stretchline.com.
Next up in our No Straight Line series, we speak with Randev Perera, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Stretchline China. Randev shares his journey through Stretchline and gives us insight into his various roles throughout the years.
Having worked with Stretchline since leaving school, Randev has progressed to leading our business in China – a true Stretchline success story.
Here’s what he had to say…
What job did you set out to do?
As my first job out of school, I worked as a Customer Relationship Executive at Stretchline Sri Lankan in 2002. I was always curious and wanted to learn more – after all, you can’t sell what you don’t know.
I always wanted to expand my knowledge and understanding, and in 2005, I moved to the Research and Development department.
What role do you currently do?
I’m the COO at Stretchline China. It’s my job to share my knowledge and experience with as many departments as possible and to get the team thinking about different ways to solve problems.
I’ve learned how to empower teams from my experience with different teams. If you want a truly driven team, you should give them the tools to find solutions independently. I have faith in my direct reports, both in their ability to deliver excellence and in their ability to learn from mistakes.
How has your journey at Stretchline shaped your role now?
I have gained a deeper understanding driven by my curiosity.
Working in three countries with people from very different cultures has taught me a lot and shaped my professional and personal outlook.
From those on the factory floor to those shaping Stretchline’s future, our family culture is the big throughline for me. Being part of the senior team means I’m responsible for our shareholders and every employee at Stretchline China. That sense of responsibility shapes my perspective on my role and how I approach it.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
It is important to trust the process. A time will come for you to shine, so enjoy the journey and learn as much as possible.
What advice would you give to your future self?
Embrace the challenge of end-to-end connectivity in anything and everything by staying curious, intrigued, and interested in innovation, automation, and digitalisation. Adapt and change to meet our customers’ and end users’ needs and requirements. And lastly, always ask why and don’t be embarrassed to say I don’t know.
As a result of Randev’s experiences, he has developed both professionally and personally. All the threads of various departments now connect with him, and he can share his insights, having worked across many of them. Sometimes, the not-so-straight line leads to a fulfilling career path that allows you to gain a wealth of knowledge and experience along the way.
Did you find Randev’s piece interesting? Then, stay tuned for more deep dives into the not-so-straight lines taken by our Stretchline family.
Last month, we launched our new content series, No Straight Line, which explores the diverse career paths taken by our Stretchline family. In this edition, we speak to Niroshan – our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Stretchline Sri Lanka and Regional Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Stretchline Holdings South Asia.
A University of Wisconsin Madison business graduate, Niroshan joined Stretchline in 2002. His 20-year journey with the company has been varied and fulfilling; he explains more below.
What job did you set out to do?
I joined Stretchline in 2002 and started on the product development team. Back then, Stretchline was mainly focused on the European market. I got my first big challenge in 2003 when I moved into the sales and marketing department and set up our first US office.
What role do you currently do?
I am the CEO of Stretchline Sri Lanka and the COO of Stretchline Holdings South Asia.
How does your role differ from what you set out to do?
I would say that my role has changed quite a bit. After 19 years of leading the business at the front end, particularly in sales and marketing, it has been a rewarding journey to get more involved behind the scenes. Since 2021, I have been responsible for the division’s profit and loss, as well as the overall business operations of South Asia.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t be afraid to take risks! My career would not be where it is today if I hadn’t taken a chance moving over to our sales and marketing team.
What advice would you give to your future self?
Work-life balance is so important – for you and your team. Focus on spending more time with your family and ensuring that everyone you work with has a positive experience.
Niroshan’s career path was marked by bravery and a willingness to try new things. Niroshan’s jump into the cold water setting up and leading our first US sales and marketing office, is a testament to our belief in our people’s potential.
Did you find Niroshan’s piece interesting? Then, stay tuned for more deep dives into the not-so-straight lines taken by our Stretchline family.
At Stretchline, we’re proud to be a global family that spans the globe. We all have different backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets. And that’s what makes our team work together so well.
No one progresses in a straight line, and those who have the added twists and turns bring their own unique perspective. In our new series, No Straight Line, we explore the different career paths our team members have taken.
We’re kicking off our series with Anthony Colley. He began by helping his grandfather clean machinery when he was 15 years old. He is now 42, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of our western hemisphere, and Chief Manufacturing Officer (CMO) of our global organisation.
We asked him how he got to where he is today and what advice he would give to others.
What was your original career plan?
My first job was cleaning machinery for my grandfather when I was 15. That led to my apprenticeship and the start of my career.
I started with Stretchline when I was 26 on a one-year contract as a Technical Manager in the weaving department in Mexico. At this age, one year felt like a lifetime, but it went by like a flash.
In 2008, Stretchline offered me a job in China. Initially, I was there to support production, but soon my role changed to Commercial Manager in 2009. This is where I learned all about customers, planning, and procurement.
In 2010, I returned to Mexico to work as a General Manager, and since then, my management and leadership duties have grown considerably.
What role do you currently do?
I’m the Regional COO for the Americas, as well as CMO on the global board.
How does your role differ from what you set out to do?
It is VERY different! From cleaning machines to my apprenticeship to eventually leading an entire hemisphere, it’s day and night! Even after joining Stretchline in 2006, my roles have varied; I’ve built up a lot of experience I still draw from today.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Be patient and focus on your career. Stick to what you want and develop your skills – it’ll pay off in the end! From my teens to now, I would never have expected where I am today.
Take risks and try new things. You will emerge from roles you don’t fully understand more resilient and with a fountain of new knowledge, skills, and with a deeper understanding you can leverage in your career.
What advice would you give to your future self?
Make more short and long-term goals. But don’t just set goals; come up with a plan on how to achieve them. Keep your mind focused on what you want to achieve – nothing is impossible!
The twists and turns in Anthony’s career path make him such a great asset to us. His first-hand experience on the manufacturing side and a stint in the commercial team have now provided him with the tools to bring operational excellence to our organisation.
Did you find Anthony’s piece interesting? Watch this space for more in-depth looks into the not-so-straight lines taken by our Stretchline family.